ATHLETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

KAITERATAHI SPORTS MEETING A CHEAT SUCCESS. (By “Stride.”) .

Ideal weather conditions attended the Kaiteiatalji Sports Club on Boxing Day, and materially assisted to make their meeting one of the most success! ut functions oi its kind held m Envoi ty Bay. The attendance must have constituted a record which will assure the club of a successful financial return, and will 'recompense to some extent the loss which they suffered last year - through the mcipment weather.

One cannot lavish too much praise on the energetic hand of enthusiasts who had prepared a. track with which the most fastidious cyclist or runner could not find fault. The sprint path in particular, was in excellent shape, and perfectly laid-ont, the regulation cnalk lines being used ■in lieu o± tapes. The circular track was eminently suited for cycling, there being a slope up from the pole line which assisted wheelmen in taking the corners at high speed. All in all, the track could not have been improved and the K.S.C. is to be congratulated for the manner in which they catered for competitors. The meeting was splendidly conducted, there being no unnecessary delay between events, ilri this connection a word of praise is due to Air. A. Ingram, jnr., who was responsible for the quick despatch oi the lengthy programme. Under the leadership of AJr. \Y. Keenan, lion, secretary, the various officials worked enthusiastically and made the meeting the most successful the Ivaiteratahi Club have conducted.

TIME-KEEEING EXTRAOBDINABY.

In tHe majority of events, particularly the cycling,' fast times wore recorded. Unfortunately, on a number ot occasions a great variation was apparent when the .“dockers” compared notes. Tlie watches used may have been responsible for this and, again, the report may have been taken instead of the flash of the gun. In the 100 yards ladies’ final a prominent amateur official made a difference of .four-fifths ot a second (almost ten yards) between bis time and one of the other time-keepers. Something must surely have been wrong. Although the short distance running events were fast, the 880 yards anci one mile were “go slow” affairs, which is hard to account for with such a fast track.

DO BRIE IN GREAT FOR M

Showing much dasli from the gun to the tape, Frank Dobbie easily collected the two sprint races. 1 have not seen this runner in better form and the manner in which he finished was a big improvement on his previous efforts this season. On the dnj he appeared to be the fittest competitor in the sprints, tor which a great deal of credit is due to Trainer Hamilton.

BARKER SHAPES AY ELL.

AYith a second in the “furlong” and a first in the “quarter,” Les Barker showed that he was in good form. In the latter event his determined finish quite nonplussed the opposition and allowed him a comfortable win.

A SURPRISE AVIX

Very few expected J. R. AYitty's victory in the “half,” and although the race was won in slow time, the winner certainly snowed speed ovei the last furlong. As this was his first race, of the season, an improvement is likely at Ormond or Te Karaka.

MARATHON PACE ADOPTED

In the one mile handicap the competitors started off as though they were going twenty, miles, and not until the straight was reached in the finfil lap was any action seen. From the 110 yards marie Stan Smith scored a comfortable victory in the slow time ol’Omin 11 2-sseo., or equivalent to about smin SOsec for the distance. Very, very slow.

MISS' AVILSON IN GOOD FORM

The New Zealand lady champion sprinter, M'is.s Norma ’Wilson, was in good form and decisively annexed the 75 yards and 100 yards handicaps # in fast times. Assisted (slightly) by* a following cross wind, Miss Wilson ran the 75 yards in 8 4-ssec., the two watches on the race agreeing. As the track was twenty-one inches over this may counteract the wind, but a record cannot bo accepted under these conditions. Three watches are necessary and no assistance must be available at the time of the race. Nevertheless the effort was highly commendable and shows that Miss Wilson still retains top form. .In the 100 yards the time was equivalent to 12. see., which is good sprinting.

THE CYCLING EVENTS

Showing a fine turn of speed Frank Pollard sprinted well to collect the half-mile dash. He was unfortunate in receiving a bad ,spill later in the day which necessitated his withdrawal from the final event.

A very consistent rider in Paddy McMahon collected the mile off 35 yards in fast time. This wheelman has vastly improved and already has his eye on the Poverty Bay track championships. A, welcome’ return to form was shown by Jack Algie, and I am sure that Trainer Cassidy was surprised hv his protege’s display in winning tfie two miles handicap. ” . In one of the 'events two spills occurred and it appeared as though this was due to negligent riding. Far too much looking round look place whilst cutting across in front of an opponent was also noticeable.

B ACKVMA BKERS OVER-HA NDICAPPED.

It was particularly noticeable that the’ back-markers in the >IOO, 220 and 440 yards handicaps; and the cycle events were hopelessly , handicapped. .At the best of times the handicapiper’s task is an unenviable one, but every competitor expects a reasonable chance, and should not have to break local records to win or to try to put up time of which he is incapable. Unfortunately the handi-

capper was absent from the district and could not see how his adjustments worked out. This is my reason for bringing tho matter forward, which, I am sure, will receive consideration from this official in due courst*.

SHORT PASSES

Much activity has been shown during the week ’bv those competitors in tho dual relay race at Ormond. Baton practice has been freely indulged in. An old member ol’ the club in Bruce Thompson, who lias performed well of late at New Plymouth, is on a, visit to Gisborne. An excellent opportunity was missed hy one* of the country clubs,, when the day after Boxing Day was allowed to go begging. AY lien ever a spill occurs in cycle events one expects to see Ernie Algie in the mix-up, and lie duly obliged at Kaiteratnhi by coming' a cropper; In the sprint - events at Kaiteratnhi, Tom Corkerv showed good form, but from the virtual scratch mark had no chance of getting up. Misses H. Hansen and J. Haismnn sprinted nicely on Boxing Day, and ;iieir second places were deserved. The Poverty Bay middle-distance •hampion. Grant McDonald, ran well ; n the “quarter,” but after half the ourney had been covered eased up is he had no chance with the limit •unners. He appeared very disgusted and did not start in the “half.” After appearing a certain winner n the one mile cycle handicap. Geo. fotdsmith got “pipped’’ by a narrow nargi n. It does not pay to look round. A Turkish hath spoilt any chance f success that Randolph Rose might lave hadi n the New Zealand ehnm■ionships. He had been experiencing lifficulty in reducing his weight to he desired condition and, rather oolishly perhaps, had a Turkish >ath in the morning. This, coupled mb travelling at night, must have •onsiderably weakened him and lie vas far from well when the distance vents were decided.

AUSTRA LA &TA N CH A ArPJOXSHiIPS. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES RECORDED.

AYith such a galaxy of talent gath-/ .wed together from all parts of Australia and New Zealand, many ex•ellent performances wore recorded at the Australasian track and field jhampionships, held at \\ ellington luring the week. Conditions on the opening day were against record-breaking, but the improvement on the second day was noticeable.

Of the 19 events conducted New Zealand headed the list with ten wins, New South Wales 7, Queensland 2, and Victoria 1. Three Australasian records were broken, in the one mile medley relay Victoria), high jump (E. M. Davidson, Victoria), and javelin (S. Lay, New Zealand). Two New Zealand records were also bettered. In some cases official recognition will not he riven ns the competitors received assistance from the wind. The outstanding performance of the meeting was the remarkable javelin throw of the Hawera athlete, Stan Lay, who got within four inches of the world’s record. Owing to assistance front the wind it is not to bo expected that a record will bo applied Perhaps the most pleasing feature was the return to £orm of Randolph Rose, who annexed the distance events after a great struggle with J. tV. Savidon, of Auckland. The times for both races were much below Rose’s Australasian records. The New South Wales champion sprinter, “Boy” Carlton, fully upheld the many good things said about hi mi, and must be classed as the most promising speed merchant yet turned out in Australia. Splendid form was shown by Colin Stuart in ■winning the ‘‘quarter and half-mile titles in good time. It may not be known in New Zealand that this athlete, is also a great swimmer, and experts in New South "Wales consider he is capable of gaining State titles in the aquatic world. The high jumping was very classy, and to clear 6ft. 2£in. Ei. M. Davidson. of Victoria, registered a brilliant performance. J. W. Shirley, the versatile Auckland athlete, was in superb form in the hop, step and jump competition, and although nearing the veteran stage, is performing better than ever. , A surprise was registered in the 440 yards hurdles ivhen Frank Nesdale, of Te Awamutu, dead-heated with F. S. Ramson, the New Zealand champion. Nesdale has been a prominent athlete for a number of years, and although lie does not get much opportunity for practice, can make the best of them move over the middle distances when in form.

I was rather surprised at Mai. Leadlietter’s defeat in the 100 yards which I expected him to win. The New Zealand champion has always been noted for his running against the wind, so this, cannot he offered as an excuse. He evidently met a better man in Carlton.

Only two Australasian champions in 9. Lay (’javelin) and W. Harvey (hammer) retained their titles. In some cases the previous holders were hopelessly outclassed. The meeting has, undoubtedly, revealed the fact that as far as Olympic Games talent is concerned. New Zealand is hot too well off. Only one competitor, Stan Lay, showed class which is up to the required standard.